Question

What issues did the leading freedom fighters agree or disagree upon?

Answer 1

Leading freedom fighters agreed on the primary goal of ending British colonial rule and achieving independence for India. However, there were significant disagreements on methods and strategies:

• Moderates vs. Nationalists: Moderates such as Dadabhai Naoroji supported gradual changes and peaceful discussions with the British. In contrast, Nationalist leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak wanted Swaraj and believed in stronger, more direct action.
• Non-Violence vs. Revolution: Mahatma Gandhi and his followers supported peaceful satyagraha, while revolutionaries such as Bhagat Singh and Subhas Chandra Bose believed that revolutionary or armed methods could be used to achieve freedom.
• Hindu-Muslim Unity: Leaders like Gandhi and Nehru promoted unity between Hindus and Muslims. However, Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the Muslim League supported separate political representation and later demanded a separate Muslim nation, Pakistan.
• Political Rights of Dalits: Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar both wanted to improve the lives of Dalits, but they disagreed over political representation, especially the issue of separate electorates and reserved seats.
• Timing of Independence: Some leaders, including C. Rajagopalachari, were prepared to accept dominion status as a temporary step towards independence, while others wanted Purna Swaraj, or complete independence, immediately.